The advantages of getting this done are obvious; namely that you get a breast which more closely matches the remaining natural breast after a mastectomy. You also get the ability to maintain a more natural appearance, even when going braless.
On the other hand, some patients choose to forego this procedure because of its disadvantages, one of which is the simple fact that it is one more surgical procedure that some patients view as prolonging the process. With this additional procedure come a few unfavorable realities that make some err away from the idea of having it done.
Depending on the methods used, the patient may need to once again undergo general anesthesia. There is also additional recovery time following the new procedure.
It can also result in additional scars at the site of the new areola and nipple, and/or at the donor site if grafting is used. Typically, reconstruction is performed about three to six months after the primary reconstruction.
This allows for optimal healing and the dissipation of post-op swelling. The timing of these things can vary considerably based on surgeon and patient preference, as well as the specific techniques used in both procedures.
The graft technique involves harvesting skin from a donor site separate from the reconstructed breast. The skin graft is then attached to the site of the newly constructed nipple and/or areola.
Common donor sites for areola grafts include the abdominal scar from a flap reconstruction, the inner thigh, or the buttock crease. For grafts, the three most common donor sites are the patient's remaining nipple, the earlobe, and the labia.
In general, the patient's remaining areola is the preferred donor site, since it provides the best match in terms of skin texture and color. In the cases of a bilateral mastectomy or particularly small nipples, the other donor sites can be quite useful.
In the flap approach to reconstruction, the areola mound is created from a flap of skin taken directly from the skin adjacent to the newly reconstructed site. This technique has the advantage of keeping the blood supply intact, and of confining any scarring to the area of the new nipple and areola.
The tattooing procedure, called micro-pigmentation, is usually performed as the final stage of a complete breast reconstruction, only after the nipple itself has been reconstructed. This procedure is performed with equipment that is very similar to what one might find in use at a tattoo shop.
Its main advantage is that it is a relatively quick and simple outpatient procedure which requires no more than local anesthesia, and does not create an additional scar. In fact, micro-pigmentation can be used to camouflage the color and even soften the texture of existing scars left behind after the initial breast reconstruction procedure.
This technique is typically used to simulate the color, shape, and texture of the areola. For those patients who do not wish to undergo further surgery after their primary breast reconstruction, the appearance itself may be re-created using only tattooing.
The obvious disadvantage of this method is that it can only create the optical illusion of texture and dimension, offering no nipple projection. In some cases, your surgeon may recommend the use of fillers in order to enhance projection.
In this case, it may also be helpful to look specifically for a surgeon or micro-pigmentation technician who specializes in creating the most realistic-looking and three dimensional appearances. Your surgeon or technician will mix various pigments to come up with just the right color to complement your skin tones and/or to match your remaining nipple.
Achieving the perfect shades may require more than one visit, and as with any tattoo, the pigment will fade in time, necessitating a return visit for a color touch-up. In most cases, reconstruction of the nipple and areola are considered to be the final step in post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.
Following the procedure, a non-adherent gauze dressing and a generous amount of ointment will be placed onto your breast and held in place by surgical tape. The dressing will need to be changed every few hours for the first few days.
Author Resource:-
Terry Daniels has been a plastic surgeon for over 20 years and has written hundreds of articles relating to plastic surgery. He recommends liposuction Utah for your plastic surgery needs.
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